Louisa Kodisang, Senior Manager, Enterprise Marketing, MTN Business

As a proud, die-hard MTNer, Louisa Kodisang, MTN’s Senior Manager, Enterprise Marketing, has seen the organisation transform from a traditional telco and is well on its journey to becoming a techco, through its Ambition 2025 strategy. During her time with MTN Business, she has grown with the company to become a respected leader in her field and within the group.

She has notched up multiple career highlights with MTN, the top one she says, is being part of the marketing team that launched prepaid in South Africa back in 1998. At the time, MTN had given itself a target of 80 000 subscribers and to its surprise, landed on over 350 000 subscribers within only three months.

“Another highlight was signing for sponsorship of the MTN Business App of the Year Awards back in 2011 – a concept pitched at a time when I had no knowledge of apps but something I felt in my gut would be profound in the future. Today, 12 years later, we are still the title sponsor of these popular awards, which I believe fits strategically with where MTN is journeying towards, as we venture into the platform business.”

Her initial dream was to become a psychologist. Instead, she ended up being a marketing and communications guru for the MTN Business brand. She didn’t imagine the possibility of a career this colourful or one so diverse in terms of the different MTN business units that she interacts with and collaborates with on a daily basis.

Kodisang has had two stints at MTN, initially joining in 1996 and rejoining in 2008. During this time, she has seen the marketing department grow almost 10-fold in size and she says it felt very intimidating and daunting. It took faith, a good work ethic and embracing the challenge. The rest is history. “I have also enjoyed seeing that at MTN, women play an intrinsic, important and invaluable role in the business. Women are recognised, supported and empowered and MTN is definitely not shy about its intent to attract, nurture and advance female talent to effectively lead the organisation.”

Kodisang says that over her career, the qualities she has developed include leading with modesty and compassion.

“I’m easy on my team and I learned very early on that you can’t treat everyone the same way. For example, in a team there are the early risers and the night owls. Both can work at optimum levels, even if on contrasting ends of the clock. I allow those with different attributes the flexibility to use them, which I have found to work in my favour. I am a leader that relishes diversity.

“When I move onto new pastures, I want to travel a little and spend time on myself. I might also consider a consultancy or freelancing because I have built great skill sets.

“My advice to young women is that the world of technology is the place to be, with new IT skills constantly required. I encourage young women to take up degree courses in IT, app development and computer and information science.

“I’d also say choose your leaders wisely. I’ve had the pleasure of working for some truly exceptional and inspirational managers at MTN and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their teachings, guidance and leadership,” she concludes.